Suranga Lakmal to miss Pakistan tour

By Bipin Dani

Sri Lankan pace bowler Suranga Lakmal will miss the upcoming Pakistan tour, it was confirmed. 

The 32-year old right arm fast bowler has dengue and will be out of action for a few weeks. 

His place will be taken by a 22-year-young fast bowler Asitha Fernando. 

Confirming the news, chief selector Ashantha De Mel said, "Asitha Fernando is now in Nepal with the Emerging team and word has been sent to him through the touring selector Chaminda Mendis." 

"It was presumed that Suranga has tonsilitis but now the specialists have confirmed it is dengue," the source informed. 

The chief selector met captain Dimuth Karunratne and coach Rumedh Rutnayke, who both agreed to include Fernando. 

Fernando is scheduled to return to Colombo for Pakistan visa formalities. He will be available for the second Test match. 

The chief selector also had a first meeting with new coaching staff- Mickey Arthur and Shane McDermott on Saturday. 

They are traveling to Pakistan where two Test matches are to be played in Rawalpindi and Karachi this month.